Nelson Thomason; Fillmore Ranch Foreman

Longtime Ventura County resident Nelson Kyle “Jack” Thomason, who was foreman at a Fillmore ranch for nearly five decades, died Wednesday in a local care facility following a lengthy illness. He was 91.

One of three children, Thomason was born Oct. 25, 1905, in Bolivar, Mo. His father died in a house fire when Jack was 5, according to his wife of 50 years, Vivian, 83.

“A kerosene lamp exploded, and his dad tried to get everybody out,” she said.

Thomason grew up on a farm, she said, and was a lover of all animals. He stayed in Missouri until 1937, when he moved to Fillmore to take over as foreman at Rancho Sespe.

Among the benefits of running the ranch was being able to ride horses and he rode many, his wife said. “But Rhoda . . . was his favorite. She was such a special gray mare. He just handled her well and she did what he liked her to do,” she added.

Thomason rode in many rodeos, including those at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. “He participated in all the horse things. Whatever there was going, he was in it,” his wife said. He belonged to Los Vacqueros riding club of Fillmore.

Vivian Thomason met her husband-to-be at a dance hall called Andy’s Club in Santa Paula in 1941. “We went there for entertainment on Saturday nights. We danced at Andy’s, and there wasn’t nobody after that,” she said.

They were married in 1946. It was his first, her second. “We were not young when we got married,” she said. The couple had no children.

Thomason retired from the ranch in 1984. What made her husband’s 47 years as ranch foreman a success, she said, was the fairness with which he treated those under him.

“He had a special personality. He liked people and had no problem getting along with them,” she said. “People trusted in him and depended on him.”

In addition to his wife, Thomason is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Bardsdale Cemetery in Fillmore, with the Rev. Bob Prevost officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Skillin-Carroll Mortuary, Fillmore.

Ventura County obituaries are published free of charge as a public service to readers. Obituaries are based on information provided by mortuaries.